all doubt that He had risen, and He in-
structed them further in the gospel. Now
the Saviour again promises the Holy Spirit.
He ascends to heaven, and the church,
awaiting the baptism of the Spirit, further
organizes its leadership.
Places:
Olivet, or the Mount of Olives,
a
"Sabbath-day's journey" (about three
quarters of a mile) from Jerusalem and
near the village of Bethany, the home of
Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. The "upper
room" in Jerusalem, probably the room
where the Last Supper was eaten, and
supposed by many to be in a house owned
by a believing woman, the mother of John
Mark and sister to Joses Barnabas.
Persons:
Jesus Christ; two angels;
eleven apostles, with Peter a spokesman;
Matthias.
Interesting Term:
"Bishopric." The word
is used as a translation of the Greek of
which "overseership" is a far better ren-
dering. The apostles were not bishops in
the usual meaning of the word. The words
"elder," "overseer," and "bishop" are used
interchangeably in the New Testament for
the office of elder or "presbyter." See Acts
20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-7.
Authorship of the Book:
Compare Acts
1:1 with Luke 1:1-4. The "former," or
first, treatise is Luke's Gospel. Luke is the
Lucas of Philemon 24 and Paul's traveling
companion and "the beloved physician" of
Colossians 4:14. The book of Acts covers
almost thirty-two years of the develop-
ment of the early church.
The Closing Scenes of Christ's Life
1.
What were some of the many
"proofs" given to the disciples? What
did Christ teach the disciples? Acts 1:3.
2.
What question was still in the
minds of the disciples? How did Jesus
answer it? Acts 1:6, 7. Compare Matt.
20:20-23; 24:3; Luke 17:20.
NoTE.—"The apostles had entertained
the common opinion of the Jews about the
temporal
dominion of the Messiah. They
expected that He would reign as a prince
and conqueror, and free them from the
bondage of the Romans. Many instances
of this expectation occur in the Gospels,
notwithstanding all the efforts which the
Lord Jesus made to explain to them the
true nature of His kingdom. This expecta-
tion was checked, and almost destroyed
by His death; Luke xxiv. 21. And it is
clear that
His death
was the only means
which could effectually check and change
their opinions respecting the nature of His
kingdom. Even His own instructions would
not do it; and only His being taken from
them could direct their minds effectually to
the true nature of His kingdom. Yet, though
His death checked their expectations, and
appeared to thwart their plans, yet His
return to life excited them again. . . . And
as they did not doubt now that .He
would
restore the kingdom to Israel, they asked
whether He would do it
at this time?
They did not ask whether He would do it
[at]
all, or whether they had correct views
of His kingdom; but taking that for
granted, they asked Him whether
that was
the time
in which He would do it. The
emphasis of the inquiry lies in the expres-
sion,
'at this time,'
and hence the answer
of the Saviour refers solely
to the point
of their inquiry,
and not to the correctness
or incorrectness of their opinions."—Albert
Barnes,
Notes on the Acts of the Apostles,
Acts 1:6.
3.
What divine Person did Jesus
promise would come and abide with
the disciples? Acts 1:5, 8. Compare
John 14:16, 17, 26; 16:13-15; 20:22.
NorE.—Since Christ had ascended, the
Holy Spirit, as soon as He was given, was
to be the divine Person ever present. Every-
where throughout the book of Acts the
Spirit is the living guide, counselor, and
strengthener of the believers. We meet Him
on every page, in every incident.
4.
Concerning this promise, what
had Christ bidden the disciples do?
Luke 24:49.
NorE.—It is not an easy thing to wait,
especially during a time of crisis. But the
disciples needed strength beyond their own
poor power.
L 4 3